I've only driven the road along the Deua River, but I was looking at it with a CXers eye. There's a fairly long stretch that would be very bumpy on a CX bike, but that may be because I'm paranoid about pinch flats so I run unusually high pressure - probably too high. It's definitely rideable but may leave you with a sore bum from the rocks and ridges.

The condition of the Majors Creek climb is, as far as I can remember from a few months ago, worse than most of the fire trails around Mts Majura, Ainslie and Stromlo. We have a Subaru Liberty which normally has no issues on roads around the Brinders, but it scraped once or twice on Majors. The time I did it before that I don't remember it being that bad so they may send a grader through every now and then.

A trip report on the route I thought was posted by PRKLCD, who rode the route and wrote that it was no drama and he had a great time on his XC bike. I can't find his trip report yet, but I'll keep looking ... hopefully it is on the forum somewhere in the Touring Section. This is the thread that he started.

I did a search in the Touring Section for stuff like, Araluen, Deua River, Majors Creek, Wadbilliga Wilderness, camping at Bakers Flat on the Deua, Araluen Valley Hotel and had a few results, mostly from my own posts of the route. So try doing that.

FatGuts aka Karl was a member here, but he appears to be no longer on BNA. FatGuts is a member of The Berm. Here is his February '14 trip report. Days 1 and 2, done on MTBs. Enjoy this while I look for the missing cyclocross report.

Thanks guys, didn't go this weekend... Instead I ticked off the Mt Coree loop on MTB and then explored some of the Canberra Centenary Trail.

Guess I can't go wrong either way, MTB or CX. My main thought is weighing up whether the efficiency on the nice stuff compensates for the stress on the sketchy bits.

Thanks Warren, I really enjoyed that trip report. I actually have you to thank for getting me on to these sorts of ideas. There was a thread a few years back about road climbs in Canberra, your photos and suggestions in there gave me some inspiration for exploring places by MTB. Otherwise I may still be doing only the skyline loop at Stromlo!

Who is online

About the Australian Cycling Forums

The largest cycling discussion forum in Australia for all things bike; from new riders to seasoned bike nuts, the Australian Cycling Forums are a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.